Now You Know: Mid-South lotteries

Tennessee had $1.063 billion in lottery income in 2010, the 15th-highest amount in the nation.

About 64.7 percent of the income received from lottery ticket sales, $687.9 million, was apportioned as prizes. Only 18 other states distributed prizes amounting to higher portions of their lottery income.

Administration of the Tennessee lottery cost $49.8 million, which is 4.7 percent of lottery income. Proceeds of the lottery -- the amount state government collected after prize expenses and administrative costs were paid -- were $325.9 million, the 19th-highest amount in the nation. That's about 30.6 percent of lottery income.

Arkansas had $362.1 million in lottery income in 2010, and turned out $247.7 million in prizes. That's about 68 percent of Arkansas' lottery income, which is the fifth-highest rate in the nation.

Arkansas spent $33.2 million for administration of the lottery, about 9 percent of its earnings. It generated $81.2 million in proceeds, the 11th-lowest amount in the nation.

In all of the United States, state lotteries earned $53.1 billion, 62 percent of which was spent on prizes. About 5 percent was spent on administration and proceeds amounted to 33 percent.

Seven states, including Mississippi, do not hold a state lottery.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Income and Apportionment of State-Administered Lottery Funds

Now You Know is compiled by data reporter Grant Smith of The Commercial Appeal staff. If you have a suggestion for a topic, e-mail him at grant@grantmeaccess.com.